Iruma Base Airshow

4 11 2008

Yesterday was a public holiday here in Japan, and in Iruma Saitama there was an Air Show for the JASDF.  I’ve been to plenty of airshows in Australia, so it was interesting to see how a Japanese one was held.

My first impressions were surprising.  The train station (Inariyama-koen) was actually inside the base.  And this train line isn’t a special train line, it’s a regular line, which makes me question the base security.  None the less, it made it nice and easy to get to.  The other first impression I got was “wow, this is crowded”.  I estimated in the hundred’s of thousands, and today checking on their website (http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/iruma/kouhou/081104/index.html) it lists 230,000 people attended….  just to give you an idea –

 

I’m on the right, wearing a pink and grey striped hoodie.  good luck.

The base itself was very much like like any base, wide streets, accommodation buildings and hangers.  However it still felt like I was in Japan, just with wider streets.  Maybe it was all the people.

There were static displays, flying displays, entertainment (bands, etc) and stalls.  I was kinda disappointed with the static displays, as you couldn’t walk around most of the planes, or even look inside.  As it was I wasn’t able to even get close to the barriers to take pictures.

The flying displays weren’t too bad, even standing way back.  I missed the first two, but I did see one showing the capabilities of their helicopters and also the Blue Impulse display.  Blue Impulse are the JASDF’s formation flying team.  They were interesting, but not much I haven’t seen before. The only criticism I could have for them would be I don’t think they effectively used their airspace and timing.  There were some gaps in the show that I think could have been avoided with better planning.  Still, enjoyable.

I think the biggest kick out of the whole day was watching the Japanese behavior.  On the airfield people were sitting on their tarps or little fold away chairs eating lunch and playing cards.  Which seemed like a somewhat waste of space to me.  And while watching the aerobatics people would gasp and exclaim.  Maybe Im jaded, but really, the planes aren’t that close together folks!  There were also heaps of people with little step ladders and their pro-camera taking photos.  Which was annoying even for tall people as they blocked the view.  And people with dogs.  why?!?  WHY????  The poor things would get crushed.  I got crushed.  Stupid stupid people.

But, when all is said and done, I had a good time, saw some planes, and it was free!


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , ,
Categories : general